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Thursday, 4 December 2008

Money, tax and benefits

Money, tax and benefits

Health costs

Most National Health Service (NHS) treatment is free but there can be charges for some things. You may be able to get help with NHS health costs if for example you're on a low income.

What is covered?

You may be able to get help with health costs like:

  • NHS prescription charges
  • NHS dental treatment, including check-ups
  • sight tests
  • vouchers towards the cost of glasses or contact lenses
  • travel costs to and from hospital for NHS treatment under the care of a consultant
  • travel costs for NHS treatment abroad
  • wigs and fabric supports, such as abdominal and spinal supports

Who is eligible?

You may get help with the cost of charges if at least one of the following applies:

  • you get Income Support
  • you get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
  • you get Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • you get Pension Credit Guaranteed Credit
  • you get Working Tax Credit with either Child Tax Credit or a disability element (depending on your income)
  • you hold a valid NHS Exemption Certificate (HC2 for full help, HC3 for partial help with the cost)
  • you're 60 or over (for NHS prescriptions and NHS sight tests)
  • you're under 16 (under 25 in Wales), under 18 for NHS dental treatment
  • you're under 19 and still in full-time education (in England and Scotland only)
  •  you suffer from a specific medical condition (for free NHS prescriptions only), ask your doctor if you think this might apply to you 
  • you have a maternity exemption certificate (for NHS dental treatment and NHS prescription charges)
  • you get a war or service disablement pension or need prescriptions or NHS treatment for your disability
  • you're a prisoner in England

Help if you're on a low income

NHS Low Income Scheme

If you're on a low income and don't qualify for any other kind of help you may be able to get help with costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

The amount of help you get will depend on the amount of income you have, but you may not be entitled to any help if you have too many savings.

You can't get help if you, or your partner or civil partner:

  • have £16,000 in property (excluding the place where you live), savings or other money

or

  • live permanently in a residential care home or nursing home and have £21,000 in property, savings or other money

How to claim

You'll need to complete Form HC1 from a Jobcentre Plus office or NHS hospital. You may also be able to get one from your doctor, dentist and optician.

You can also get a form by contacting the Department of Health publications order line on 0870 155 5455 (8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday).

For more information about how to claim, you can contact your local Jobcentre Plus Office.

What happens if your circumstances change?

If your circumstances change, for example you're no longer eligible to claim Jobseeker's Allowance - your entitlement to health cost benefits may stop.

You'll need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus Office for more details.

What else you need to know

If you want more information about NHS charges in England, Scotland and Wales, download a booklet from the Department of Health website.

If you need more advice about getting help with health costs, contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB).

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